Automatic steam heating system for automobiles



D 1938. J. B. MONCRIEF 2,141,926

AUTOMATIC STEAM HEATING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Feb. 16, 1938 lhwentor 8g JAMES BJHONCBIEF (Ittorneg 5 Patented Dec. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC STEAM HEATING SYSTEM FOR 17 Claims.

My invention relates to a steam heating system for automobiles and is characterized by the provision of automatic controls for the generation of steamunder vacuum in the heating system and for the control of the radiator fan or blower so that it remains inactive when the radiator is cold or the system is taking in water.

More particularly, my invention contemplates theprovision of a water jacket fitted to the exhaust line and designed fliciently to vaporize water by the heat from the automatic engine exhaust, with thermal bulbs .or thermostatic agencies so arranged and coordinated with the heating system and with expansible bellows, or m the like control elements, that when there is demand for water in the system they will introduce it in quantity sufficient to supply steam throughout the heating system, said controls holding a vacuum always on the heating system while operating and acting automatically to open and close the controls for the blower motor responsive to the presence or absence of the steam in the heating system.

My invention further contemplates the provision of differentially operated bellows controls which coact to supply the system with water and which maintain its water supply valve always closed when such controls are in balanced relation, means being provided so" to regulate the differential action of these controls that when they become unbalanced the water supply valve will open and admit water at times and in quantities definitely and accurately controlled by predetermined temperature conditions in different parts of the heating system. a

My invention further contemplates utilizing a control elementfor the water supply valve to close a starter switch for the heater fan motor responsive to the presence of steam in the system, so that the motor will run only when the radiator can heat the fan-induced air current flowing therethrough.

The-invention also contemplates the application of one or more such heating systems, according to the capacity of the automobile to be heated,

and comprises various novel details of construction and arrangements of parts which, in their preferred embodiments only, are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:--

Fig. 1 is a schematic layout of my improved heating system with the control parts shown in the position they will occupy when the heating system is cold. l

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a modificationof the thermal bulb control fpr the water supply and vacuum control valves.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, I show conventionally an intake manifold 5, an exhaust manifold 6, and an exhaust pipe 1, for any standard automobile engine, not shown, L which parts may have any conventional arrangement in the automobile.

I mount at some convenient point on the exhaust pipe I, an arcuate steam generator '8 hav' 5 ing, as shown in Fig. 3, a relatively small capacity a and so large a surface area in contact with the pipe 1, that I obtain an eflicient transfer of heat thereto and a flash generation of steam. A suitable clamp 9 is applied about the generator and pipe I to hold them fixedly in assembled relation and the generator is supplied with a suitable safety blow-off valve In and a steam pipe II which leads from its upper end and is con.- nected by a flexible hose or like element l2 to an 25 intake nipple in the bottom of a steam chamber l3. This chamber is spaced from the generator and is shown mounted under the bottom flange l5 of a steel plate frame I4 that may be mounted at any suitable point in the automobile. From chamber IS a steam pipe l6 leads up through the lower and upper flanges l5 and .11 of the plate frame and is suitably connected by rigid or flexible piping I8 to a conventional'steam radiator 19, such as is in common use for heating automobiles. Air is forced through this heater and into the automobile by a fan 20 driven by an electric motor 2| which has appropriate circuits 22 and a 23, with an automatic switch 24 interposed in the a valve 21 is mounted in this line between said flanges. When this valve is open and the engine running a vacuum in the steam system is quickly established and exists as a normal condition under which the system'operates.

A small water supply pipe line 28 leads from the cooling system, not shown, or any other available source of supply and also passes downwardly through the frame flanges and is connected to the lower end of the steam generator 8. In this line is a manual cut off valve 29 and an automatic water supply valve 30 that is disposed between said flanges.

I mount on the lower frame flange |5 a bellows 3|, or like expansive element, for controlling the Vacuum valve 21, and a pair of similar bellows 32 and 33 for jointly controlling the water supply valve 30.

' to cause the thermal bulb to expand the bel- The bellows 3| is connected by a pipe 34 in. closed circuit to a thermal bulb 35 fixedly mounted in any suitable manner in contact with, or in position to be heated by, the steam generator or the exhaust pipe 1 so that it will respond to any appreciable rise in temperature therein. This bulb, its pipe 34 and its bellows 3| are filled in a closed circuit with any suitable expansible fluid or gas, which in response to predetermined rise in the thermal bulb temperature will cause the bellows 3| to expand. This bellows actuates a stem 36 that extends through and is guided by the frame flange H and has a pair of spaced lugs 31 between which the stem for the vacuum valve 21 is loosely engaged. Above these lugs the stem 36 is threaded to receive an adjusting nut 38 which controls the position of a Washer 39 forming a seat between which and the flange I1 I mount a coiled spring 40, the tension on which is adjusted to control the temperature required lows 3| and move the stem sufiiciently to close the vacuum line valve 21. When the bellows 3| contracts, the spring assists in opening the valve 2'|.' When the valve is open and the motor is.

running a vacuum will be promptly established throughout the heating system. The vacuum connection 26 is so located that condensate cannot enter the automobile engine.

I use a second thermal bulb 4|, which is preferably applied to the steam line H and through its pipe 42 controls the bellows 32 which also has a stem 36 equipped with a tension spring as above described. The lugs 31 upon this stem of bellows 32 engage between them the left hand end of an arm 43 for operating the water supply valve 30. In like manner'a thermal bulb 44, which is mounted in the steam chamber l3,

will through its pipe 45 control a bellows 33.

This bellows 33 has a special stem 46 that is not equipped with a tension spring and has its lugs 31 so spaced that when the bellows is contracted and the water supply valve stands" in closed position against the stop lug 41 on the frame l4, the lower lug will allow the stem 46 to rise before engaging arm 43 sufllciently to close the make-and-break switch 24 and start the fan motor. Provided on the stem 46 is a clearance adjusting nut 50, to vary the time of closing of the switch contact 24.

The water supply valve 30 and the vacuum valve 21 can be of any conventional type adapted when rocked through a predetermined angle in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 4, 'to open their respective pipe lines, and when rocked back to close said supply line. The detail structure of the valves is immaterial as it may be widely varied bellows 32 will be timed with relation to the action of bellows 33, which latter bellows requires no counter-balancing spring because its function is to prevent bellows 32 opening valve 30 whenever the'system is sufiiciently supplied with water. The tension on bellows 32 should be set so that the water supply valve will not open to supply water to the system until the generator has become sufliciently hot to evaporate, instantaneously suchwater, and the action of the bellows 33 which should be so timed as to permit only enough water to enter the generator as will fill the system with steam. On subsequent startings this small amount of water in the system under vacuum will soon be vaporized, and I consider it desirous that the system run on the smallest amount of water possible, which will be periodically and automatically replaced as needed, as in this Way I obtain a faster condensation and I am enabled to take better advantage of the latent heat of the steam which is many times as effective as the sensible heat of water.

I charge each thermal bulb 35,'4| and 44 and its respective connection and bellows with some liquid which will vaporize from 30 F. to 50 F. below the vaporizing temperature of the water in the system. The water in the system being under vacuum, will vaporize at less than 212 F., say about 190 F. The bulb charge should have a vaporizing temperature sufliciently high so that its bellows will return to rest whenever the engine cools, even in the warmest weather. Thus, I

prefer that the above charge should vaporize about midway between F. and 190 F. As a suitable charge I may use chloroform which vaporizes at approximately 142 F. atmospheric, but it will be understood that the most suitable element for the charge may be selected having in consideration whether the bulb is charged under pressure, at atmospheric, or under vacuum. Water itself can be used if the bulb were charged under sufficient vacuum to cause it to vaporize at about F.

While I have shown separate thermal bulbs 35 and 4| employed, nevertheless my system is ef-. fectively operable where a single bulb 35 is used, as shown in Fig. 4, the connections 42 and 34 being led to this same bulb so that as it becomes heated both bellows 3| and 32 will be simultaneously expanded, the one to close the vacuum valve and trap the vacuum in the system, and the other to open the water valve until it becomes counter-balanced by the effect of steam on the thermal bulb 34 to expand bellows 33 and force the return of the water supply valve to closed position.

In operation, assuming the engine cold, no water in the generator 8, valve 29 open, water supply valve 30 closed, vacuum control valve 21 open, and the several bellowscontracted.

As the engine starts its first effect will be to exhaust air from the whole heating system, and then its exhaust line will heat up and start heating the generator 8 and thermal bulb 35. This thermal bulb 35, will respond first and cause bellows 3| to expand and close vacuum valve 21, so trapping the vacuum in the system. The thermal bulb 4l will next heat and expand its bellows 32, lifting stem 36 against the action of spring 40 so as to rock the arm 43 into position toopen the water supply valve 30 and admit a small quantity of water to enter the steam generator. This generator being then hot will quickly vaporize this water, producing steam which at once takes effect on thermal bulb 44, expanding its bellows 33 and causing same to counter-balance the action of bellows 32 on the water valve 30 and, with the assistance of spring 40, to rock arm 43 against stop 41 and shut off the water.

, supply. The vacuum valve 21 will stay closed as long as the engine is warm. Upon subsequent startings there will probably be suflicient water in the generator, in the form of condensation, which is returned thereto, so that this will promptly be vaporized and will heat terminal bulbs 4i and M at about'the same time whereby they will be caused to oppose each other and prevent the opening of the water supply valve 30, and this balanced condition will continue until there is an inadequate supply of water, whereupon steam will" fail to heat the thermal bulb and bulb II will be hot enough to expand its bellows 32 the latter will be freed to expand and open the water supply valve.

Thus steam will be produced for the radiator in a very short time when needed from the hottest point on the engine, and under a vacuum which is pulled fresh each time the engine is started after being cold and which accelerates the vaporization of the water and prevents the heater becoming full of air.

My system will automatically admit water only when needed and-then only in whatever amount is required to produce sufiicientj-steam to heat the radiator and effect the controls above set forth and it admits only the make up water which will replace that lost through service.

The safety valve Ill will open in time to prevent damage from high pressure within the system.

It will be understood that the fan will remain idle until the thermal bulb 44 is heated and thus it will not operate except when steam. is present in the radiator.

As heretofore stated, a number of these systems maybe applied at different points onthe exhaust pipe and one or more heaters used in the same or difi'erent compartments of the vehicle. It will also be apparent that my improved system is not necessarily limited to an automobile heating system,-but may be used with equal advantage on any type of heating system embodying a similar problem of heat transfer. It also is not necessarily limited to one in which a partial vacuum is maintained, but may be employed with systems employing superatmospheric pressures.

While I have shown my invention in buttwo forms, it will be obvious .to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:- V

1; In a heating system for automobiles having an automotive engine comprising an intake manifold and an exhaustline, a steam generator heated 'by said line, a steam radiator connected to said generator, a valve controlled means having connection with said intake manifold and adapted to establish a vacuum in the heating system, a valve controlled means to supply water to said system, means automatically responsive to heat from the exhaust lineto control the supply of water thereto, and means responsive to the presence of steam in the :system to cut of! said water supply.

2. In aheating system for automobiles having an automotive engine comprising an intake manifold and an exhaust line, a steam generator heated by said line, a steam radiator connected to said generator, a valve controlled means havto said generator, a valve controlled means having connection with said intake manifold and adapted to establish a vacuum in the heating system, a valve controlled means to supply water to said system, and counter-acting agencies which control said water supply valve, one responsive to exhaust line heat to open the valve and the other responsive to steam heat in the system, to close the valve, the latter being adapted to prevail and prevent the admission of water while steam is available for said radiator.

, 4. In a heating system for automobiles having an automotive engine comprising an intake manifold and an exhaust line, a steam generator heated by said line, a steam radiator connected to said generator, a valve controlled means having connection with said intake manifold and adapted to establish a vacuum in the heating system, a valve controlled means to supply water to said system, means automaticallyresponsive to heat from the exhaust line to control'the supply of water thereto, means responsive to the presence of steam in the system to out 01f said water supply, and means for closing said connection to the intake manifold only while the heating system is working.

5. In an automobile heating system, in combination, an automotive engine comprising an intake manifold and an exhaust line, a steam generator heated by said line, a steam radiator supplied with-steam by said generator, a valve controlled means having a connection to said intake manifold and adapted to establish a vacuum in said system, means responsive to heat in said generator to close said valve when the system is hot, a valve and means controlled thereby to supply water to said generator, two coordinated agencies responsive to the generator heat for jointly controlling said latter valve, and means to cause one agency to open the valve only when unopposed by the other agency.

6. In an automobile heating system, in combination, an-automotive engine comprising an intake manifold and an exhaust line, a steam gen-' erator heated by said line, a steam radiator supplied wlth steam by said generator, a valve controlling means having connection with said intake manifold and adapted to establish a vacuumin said system,- means responsive to heat in said generator to close said valve when the system is hot,

a valve and means controlled thereby to supply water to said generator, a thermostat responsive to exhaust line heat and means controlled thereby tending to open said waterrvalve when the generator is hot, a thermostat responsive to the presence of steam in the system, and means controlled thereby. which is eilective'to'close said 1| when the system is supplied with claim 6, in which the water valve control means bellows disposed and adapted to close said vacuum valve when the exhaust line is hot.

9. An automobile heating system according to claim 5, in which the heat responsive agency to open the water supply valve is a thermal bulb mounted adjacent to the steam generator and a bellows in closed circuit therewith filled with an expansible medium, an actuator for the water valve movable by said bellows, and an adjustable resistance to oppose the valve opening motion of said actuator.

10. An automobile heating system according to claim 5, in which the heat responsive agency to close the water supply valve is a thermal bulb mounted adjacent to the steam radiator and a bellows in closed circuit therewith filled with an expansible medium, an actuator for the water valve movable by said bellows and more powerful than the other valve controlling agency, and a stop to limit the valve travel.

11. An automobile heating system according to claim 5, in which the heat responsive agency to close the water supply valve is a thermal bulb mounted adjacent to the steam radiator and a bellows in closed circuit therewith filled with an expansible medium, an actuator for the water valve movable by said bellows and more powerful than the other valve controlling agency, a motor driven fan associated with, saidradiator, and means controlled by the expansion of said bellows for cutting said motor into service.

12. In an automobile heating system, means to generate steam, an automotive exhaust line to heatsaid means, means to supply water to said steam generating means comprising a valve and means responsive to the presence of steam in. the heating system to close said valve, a steam radiator heated by said generator, an electric motor driven fan associated with said radiator,'a switch control for the fan motor, and a common means responsive to the presence of steam'in said system which closes said motor switch as it closes said' valve and vice versa, whereby said motor driven fan is cut into and out of service automatically.

13. An automobile heating system, comprising a steam generator heated by the engine exhaust 10 a steam radiator connected to said generator, a suction line and a water line connected to said generator, a valve foreach line, a pair of bellows for operating said water valve, thermal bulbs each connectedto one of said bellows and containing an expansible medium which will vaporize at a temperature below that of the water in the system, orie bulb being responsive to heat at the generator and the other disposed to respond to the presence of steam in the system, an arm for operating the water valve oppositely acted upon by said bellows, a spring and stop acting to set the water valve in closed position when saidbellows are substantially balanced, and an automatic control to close the suction valve while the system is in operation.

14. An automobile heating system according to claim 13, in which the automatic control for the suction valve comprises a bellows connected to the water valve controlling bulb that is responsive to the heat at the generator.

15. In a heating system, aheatlng conduit, a steam generator heated by said conduit, a steam radiator connected to said generator, valve control means to supply water to said system and counteracting agencies to control the water supply valve, one responsive to temperature of the heating conduit to open the valve and the other responsive to temperature in the system to close the valve.

16. In an automobile heating system, means to generate steam by engine exhaust heat, a radiator heated by steam so generated, a motor driven fan disposed to blow air heated by said radiator into the automobile, a valve controlling the supply of water to said steam generator, a control element for the fan motor, and a common means operable responsive to steam in said system to close said valve and start said fan motor.

17. An automobile heating system according to claim 16, in which said common means comprises a steam connection between the radiator and generator, and a thermostatic agency interposed in said connection.

' JAMES B. MONCRIEF. 

